4 Notables Rising on Unusual Volume

Written by: Roberto Pedone11/12/12 - 3:23 PM EST

Tickers in this article:
JCOM CELG HTWR KRO

WINDERMERE, Fla. ( Stockpickr) -- Professional traders running mutual funds and hedge funds don't just look at a stock's price moves; they also track big changes in volume activity. Often when above-average volume moves into an equity, it precedes a large spike in volatility.

Major moves in volume can signal unusual activity, such as insider buying or selling -- or buying or selling by "superinvestors."

Unusual volume can also be a major signal that hedge funds and momentum traders are piling into a stock ahead of a catalyst. These types of traders like to get in well before a large spike, so it's always a smart move to monitor unusual volume. That said, remember to combine trend and price action with unusual volume. Put them all together to help you decipher the next big trend for any stock.

This is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies designed to treat cancer and immune-inflammatory related diseases. This stock is trading up 5.7% at $75.70 in recent trading.

Today's Volume: 5.69 million

Average Volume: 2.42 million

Volume % Change: 315%

Shares of CELG are soaring today after a late-stage clinical trial showed its drug Abraxane improved survival in patients with pancreatic cancer.

From a technical perspective, CELG is gapping up sharply higher here back above its 50-day moving average of $75.69 with above-average volume. This move is quickly pushing CELG within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit once CELG takes out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $79.75 to $81.24 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in CELG as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $75.69, and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 2.42 million shares. If CELG triggers that breakout, then look for this stock to trend up towards $85 to $90 in the near future. Keep in mind that any move above $81.24 will push CELG into new 52-week high territory, which is bullish technical price action.

This is a medical device company developing a family of implantable Left Ventricular Assist Devices for the treatment of advanced heart failure. This stock is trading up 1.6% at $83.89 in recent trading.

Today's Volume: 192,000

Average Volume: 121,938

Volume % Change: 155%

From a technical perspective, HTWR is bouncing modestly to the upside here right off its 200-day moving average of $81.37 with above-average volume. This move is coming off oversold levels, since HTWR's current relative strength index (RSI) reading is 37. This action is also pushing HTWR within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit once HTWR manages to clear some near-term overhead resistance levels at $86 to $86.36 with high volume.